Rhonda McCullough is an American producer and philanthropist best known as the wife of the late comedian and actor Bernie Mac.
Since his death in 2008, she has served as CEO and President of the Bernie Mac Foundation, overseeing sarcoidosis awareness and research efforts in his memory.
Who is Rhonda McCullough?
Rhonda McCullough is an American producer, philanthropist, and the widow of comedian and actor Bernie Mac.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she met Bernie in high school and the two built a life together long before his rise to fame.
After Bernie’s death in August 2008, Rhonda took on the role of CEO and President of the Bernie Mac Foundation.
She also manages his estate and has produced documentary projects celebrating his career and legacy.
Her work spans decades: from supporting Bernie’s early years as a struggling stand-up comedian, to managing one of Hollywood’s most recognizable names, to now leading a foundation focused on sarcoidosis research.
Rhonda has also worked as a nurse, a career she maintained throughout much of their marriage.
Rhonda McCullough and Bernie Mac
Rhonda McCullough met Bernie Mac in 1974 at Chicago Vocational High School. She has recalled seeing him in the hallways with other girls around him and not understanding the attraction at first.
Once they began talking, however, the connection became clear. The two dated for two years before marrying in 1977.
Their marriage lasted 31 years. During the early years, while Bernie worked as a truck driver, restaurant manager, mover, and basketball coach, Rhonda worked as a nurse and stood by him as he pursued his comedy dreams.
Bernie Mac died on August 9, 2008, from complications of pneumonia. He was 50 years old.
His underlying condition, sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory disease he had been diagnosed with in the 1980s, had weakened his health over the years.
Early Life of Rhonda McCullough
Rhonda McCullough was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, in the same South Side community where Bernie Mac grew up.
Her upbringing in Chicago shaped her strong sense of family and community, values that defined her marriage and her later philanthropic work.
Her mother’s name is Mary Simmons. Details about her father and siblings are not publicly known.
Rhonda’s family background remained largely private throughout her public years alongside Bernie.
She attended Chicago Vocational High School, the same school where she would meet Bernie Mac in 1974.
Rhonda McCullough Age / Birthday
Rhonda McCullough is 68 years old as of 2026, born on July 21, 1958. Her zodiac sign is Cancer, a sign often linked with loyalty, nurturing, and deep emotional bonds.
As of 2026, she continues to lead the Bernie Mac Foundation and manage his estate.
Rhonda McCullough Ethnicity and Nationality
Rhonda McCullough holds American nationality, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is of African American descent.
Her Chicago upbringing and community ties have remained central to her philanthropic work and her stewardship of Bernie Mac’s legacy.
Rhonda McCullough Height and Weight
Rhonda McCullough stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, which is approximately 165 centimeters. Her weight is reported at around 62 kg or 132 lbs.
She presents a poised and composed public image in all of her foundation appearances and media interviews.
Rhonda McCullough Career
Rhonda McCullough spent much of her professional life working as a nurse while supporting Bernie Mac’s career behind the scenes.
When his career took off, she occasionally visited him on set while maintaining their home base in Chicago.
Her transition into producing came through her connection to Bernie’s work and legacy. After his death, she stepped into a more public role.
Producing and Documentary Work
Rhonda’s most notable professional credit is as a producer on the 2011 documentary I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac.
The documentary celebrated his life and career and aired as part of a tribute to the comedian three years after his death.
She also has a producing credit on Unsung Hollywood, a documentary series covering underappreciated figures in Black entertainment history.
Both projects reflect her role as the primary keeper and presenter of Bernie Mac’s public legacy.
Her work as a producer has been closely tied to preserving and sharing her late husband’s story.
She has spoken publicly about Bernie’s comedic style and his commitment to Chicago, describing him in interviews as someone who always returned home after productions wrapped.
The Bernie Mac Foundation
In 2007, Bernie Mac founded the Bernie Mac Foundation with the goal of raising awareness about sarcoidosis, the inflammatory disease he had lived with for years.
After his death in 2008, Rhonda took over the organization and became its CEO and President.
The Bernie Mac Foundation raises funds for sarcoidosis research and supports advocacy for patients living with the disease.
Sarcoidosis disproportionately affects African Americans, and the foundation focuses heavily on community outreach and awareness campaigns.
Rhonda has spoken at public events about sarcoidosis and described it as still difficult to diagnose despite recent medical advances.
She has cited ongoing strides in research and expressed hope for a future cure.
She also serves as the legal overseer of the Bernie Mac estate, managing his catalog of work across stand-up, television, and film.
The estate continues to generate income through syndication, royalties, and licensing of his projects.
Sarcoidosis Advocacy
One of Rhonda’s most visible ongoing commitments is her advocacy work around sarcoidosis.
She also produced the short documentary Project Purple: Mission Sarcoidosis Awareness, which highlights the disease and its impact on patients and families.
Rhonda has said publicly that she was initially afraid to speak in front of audiences but has grown into her role as a spokesperson and advocate.
Her platform draws directly from her personal experience of losing Bernie to complications connected to the disease.
She has organized fundraising events, including Bernie Mac Night with the Chicago Bulls, to raise both money and awareness for the foundation’s mission.
Rhonda McCullough Children
Rhonda and Bernie Mac had one daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, born in 1978, one year after they married.
Je’Niece has described her parents’ relationship as deeply close, and she has continued to support the Bernie Mac Foundation’s mission as its Vice President.
Je’Niece is a mental health counselor. She has spoken publicly about her father’s legacy and her mother’s strength following his death.
Rhonda became a grandmother when Je’Niece had a daughter, Jasmine, born in 2007.
Bernie Mac was able to spend about 18 months with Jasmine before his death in August 2008. Rhonda has described being a grandmother as one of the great joys of her life.
Rhonda McCullough Husband
Rhonda McCullough remarried in 2011, wedding Horace Gilmore. She took the name Rhonda McCullough-Gilmore following the marriage.
The couple met at a party hosted by a friend of Rhonda’s mother. Horace has been described as a supportive partner and as someone who helped Rhonda through her grief after losing Bernie.
Horace Gilmore is a former US civil servant. Rhonda has spoken warmly about finding companionship again and described the meeting as feeling unexpected and healing.
Her first marriage to Bernie Mac lasted from 1977 to his death in August 2008, spanning 31 years.
Rhonda McCullough Net Worth
Rhonda McCullough’s estimated net worth is $4 million as of 2026. Her wealth comes from her producing work, her role managing the Bernie Mac estate, and her income as a nurse earlier in her career.
As overseer of the Bernie Mac estate, she manages ongoing income from the syndication of The Bernie Mac Show, royalties from Bernie’s film appearances, and licensing of his comedy catalog.
His most prominent works, including The Original Kings of Comedy and films such as Ocean’s Eleven and Transformers, continue to generate posthumous revenue.
Her producing credits and her leadership of the Bernie Mac Foundation also contribute to her public profile and professional standing.
Rhonda McCullough Social Media
Rhonda McCullough maintains a relatively private public presence and does not have widely confirmed personal social media accounts.
The Bernie Mac Foundation operates its own channels for advocacy and awareness campaigns. For updates on the foundation’s work, the official site is berniemacfoundation.org.
Conclusion
Rhonda McCullough built a 31-year marriage with Bernie Mac before his death in 2008, and in the years since she has channeled that loss into the leadership of the Bernie Mac Foundation, continuing his advocacy against sarcoidosis.
Her work as a producer, estate manager, and public health advocate keeps his name and his mission active nearly two decades after his passing.